The first three rungs on this ladder of increasing automation (excluding level zero, for no automation) are occupied by technologies that rely on humans for emergency backup. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping systems, and the like belong to level one. Level-two systems combine the functions of level-one technologies—the lateral and longitudinal controls of lane-keeping and adaptive cruise-control systems, for example—to automate more complex driving tasks. This is as far as commercially available vehicle automation goes today. Level-three systems would allow drivers to turn on autopilot in specific scenarios, such as freeway traffic jams. The next two levels are profoundly different in that they operate entirely without human assistance. Level-four (high-automation) systems would handle all driving subtasks, but they would operate only in strictly defined scenarios—in closed parking garages, for example, or in dedicated lanes on the freeway. At the top of the ladder is level five—the fully automated car. Presumably, this is what many people have in mind when they hear someone such as Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn confidently proclaim that automated cars will be on the road by 2020. The truth is that no one expects level-five automation systems to be on the market by then. In all likelihood, they are a long way off. …show more content…
Department of Transportation actually assigns a value to each human life: $9.2 million. Therefore, there would be a significant cost savings in many different venues like insurance costs and healthcare costs associated with accident recovery alone. As an article from Forbes points out, there is also a cost savings associated with time. When a computer takes over the driving responsibilities, drivers can use that time to do other things, like catch up on reading or chat with passengers, all without having to worry too much about road safety. According to Eno Transportation, self-driving cars in large number participate in a behavior known as platooning, which would significantly improve traffic conditions and congestion. This would help to reduce commute times for drivers in high-traffic areas but also to maximize on gasoline usage. In order for the cars to operate most efficiently, they'd need to communicate with one another, helping to identify traffic problems or road risks early on. Disabled individuals, who have to rely on public transportation or assistance from others to get around, could reap the benefits of self-driving cars with new freedom and enhanced mobility, as suggested by the New York Times. Larger cities are plagued with the problem of providing adequate public transportation. Many have a lack of appropriate infrastructure to support the needs of their residents, a void that could partially be filled by self-driving cars. Over time, higher speed